Product Description

This work talks about the sexiest slickest ponchos for hip knitters! Ponchos have always been a favourite of the new knitter because they are easy to knit, and they've also been popping up in fashion as a trendy, interesting must-have accessory. Designers and knitters Sue Palmer and Carri Neithardt have teemed up with Amelya Freeman and Lana Grossa Yarns to express these aspects in a fun, fashionable manner. The employees from Sue's shop, A Yarn for all Seasons, were encouraged to contribute a pattern or two, expressing the diverse tastes and styles found in Los Angeles. After about a year of collaborating, designing, knitting, tweaking, and editing, the final batch of ponchos was ready to be styled and photographed. It was time to create the book. As a fabulous batch of ponchos had been cooked up, an a la carte menu was an interesting and stylish way to showcase the patterns, thus the origin of the title.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #751389 in Books
• Published on: 2006-08
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 72 pages

Review
This is a tiny book full of 21 knitting and crochet patterns for shawls, capes and ponchos. Full colour photographs of each project are seen at the start of the book. They set the tone for a zappy, street-style for today's knitter or crocheter. The photographs are then reproduced at the side of the pattern. These patterns are short, quick and easy to knit or crochet and very wearable. Each stylish garment has a name that tickles the tat buds like 'Strawberry Shortcake' or 'Blackberry Tart'. You will not get bored waiting hours to complete a garment. These projects will not be stashed in the cupboard after a few rows. Provided you pay attention to the yarn used, your garment should stay in fashion for many years to come. This collection of patterns with great appeal is not just from the authors but from other designers too - giving a broad spectrum of ideas and styles. I am sure you will find something in this 72-page book to delight and set your needles clicking. The yarns used throughout are Lana Grossa and a list of suppliers are given for the U.S. These tend to be hard to find in the UK, but yarns can be substituted provided you do a tension swatch. This is one knitting book I would add to my shelf.-KarenPlatt.co.uk

Customer Reviews

Excellent Knitters' Treasure
This is an excellent book to add to your knit book collection - but this book won't stay on your shelf long! It contains 21 trendy and stylish ponchos, shrugs and wraps and if you like the shrug on the cover there are even better ones inside the book.

All the patterns are knitted except for one gorgeous white crochet poncho which is done a soft white yarn - with loops for a ribbon to be threaded through. Some of the patterns require a crochet hook for finishing - usually to do the fringe, but nothing too complex. Also, most of the patterns are knit on circular needles which means less sewing up after.

The yarns used in the book are by Lana Grossa, however, the gauges for all the yarns are included so substitutions would be easy. There is a USA source list at the back of the book and web sites listed where the Lana Grossa yarn can be purchased.

What I like best about these patterns is that the author and designers had obviously vetted many styles and patterns and had selected the absolute best to include in the book. Not one pattern is a 'loser'. I'd like to knit every single one!

The majority of the patterns are very easy knitting, so they're great for beginner knitters and for people who enjoy conversation, watching TV or doing other things while knitting or just relaxing and not having to read the pattern every 5 minutes!

The book doesn't have a beginner's glossary on how to knit or crochet. There is a list of stitch abbreviations at the back of the book, but not an explanation of the stitches--however, that info can be found in other books or on-line very easily.

All the sweaters are very vogue, with a Los Angeles flair. The simplicity of the patterns isn't obvious because of the clever use of yarn colours, textures and patterns which makes even the simpliest stockinette stitch look expensive and trendy--the finished garments don't look like beginner knit projects at all!!!

Happy knitting!!!